Douglas County Taxpayers Coalition
Wednesday, 19 November 2008
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| Gold's Gym Letter to Commissioners: YMCA |
| Written by DCTC | |
| Tuesday, 31 July 2007 | |
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Douglas County Board of Commissioners
Dear Commissioners:
It has come to our attention
that a YMCA could possibly be included in the SPLOST voting in September of
this year. We want to express to you our opposition to a tax‑exempt YMCA and
our hope that you will see the wisdom in preventing this from becoming a
reality. We have provided proven, detailed information within this opposition
package on why a YMCA will become an unfair, tax‑exempt competitor and tax
burden by selling subsidized fitness to adults who can pay their own way. This
clearly subverts the purpose of tax exemption.
When you review this information, you will understand why we are so concerned with this taxpayer financed, tax‑exempt YMCA. Over the past 23 years we have become the heart and soul of the fitness life of the county. We are a private, locally‑owned business with fifteen local owners including some of our staff. We have played a significant role in our Douglas County business community. Our two locations: Have an appraised fair market value of $3,580,000 for land, buildings and equipment; Paid $47,861 property taxes in 2006; Paid $233,729 property taxes in the last 5 years; Paid annual business licenses of $3,000 per year; and Had a 2006 direct payroll of over $1,200,000 plus fringes which together is 45% of our operating cost. We have been involved in every aspect of our community, serving the Chamber, the Boys and Girls Club, and many, many events with schools and service organizations, to include: Our Annual Douglas County Charity Tennis Tournament has raised over $120,000, with the Prevent Child Abuse Douglas and Douglas County Boys and Girls Club being significant beneficiaries over the last several years. Since 2005, we have raised over $50,000 for the American Diabetes Association Tour De Cure Charity Event. We have increased the awareness of diabetes prevention and treatment. If the YMCA is allowed to "operate their business" within Douglas County they will ride free on the backs of all of us who pay taxes and they will drain millions from legitimate charitable organizations competing for finite donated dollars. They will drive a tax‑free sword through the heart of our business and other tax‑paying businesses and charitable organizations in our county. We can compete with anyone if the rules are the same. That is pure American capitalism. But if a tax‑free YMCA is allowed to sell their services for a free ride in Douglas County, we would probably have no choice but to close down at least one of our facilities. We therefore support identical tax treatment for identical business activities. In the first part of this notebook you will find (1) a condensed summary, "The YMCA: More like a business than a charity" and (2) a letter from the President of the International Health, Racquet, & Sportsclub Association that clearly expresses the Industry position against publicly financed, tax‑exempt fitness centers, such as the YMCA. In the second part, when you are ready, you will discover detailed support information for a more in‑depth inspection. We believe that once you see the evidence accumulated nationwide you will agree with equitable taxes for equitable services. We are available any time you have questions and would love to have the opportunity to discuss this further with you in the near future. Thank you very much for your consideration of this matter. In this present economic climate your decision will be pivotal for the future of our business. Sincerely, Gordon Johnson, General Partner Gold's Gym of Douglasville Attachment: The YMCA: More Like a Business than a Charity (upon request) Discuss this article on the forums. (0 posts)
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